Electrical connecting device



Feb. 23, 1937. I O RlEMAN 2,072,042

ELECTRICAL CONNECT ING DEVICE Filed Oct. 26, 1955 INVENTOR.

O A.R|EMAN A TTORNE Y.

Patented Feb. 23, 1937 Otto A. Rieman, St. Louis, Mo. Application October 26, 1935, Serial No. 46,894

13 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in electrical connecting devices and more particularly to the type which is commonly known as electrode receptacles and employed on gaseous signs for receiving the luminous tube electrode and connecting it to an electrical conductor.

One of the objects of my invention is to produce an electrode receiving receptacle'of the type referred to which will provide proper insulation for i the electrical connection between the tube elec- Gil trode and the conductor and which is so constructed that it will not accumulate dirt, water, insects, and other foreign material and thus cause insulation failures.

Another object of my invention is to so construct an electrode receptacle that it may be employed as a supporting post for the electrical conductor which is connected to the tube electrode.

Still another object of my invention is to so construct an electrode receptacle that various types of connecting means may be employed for electrically connecting the electrode and the conductor.

A further object is to provide improved means for connecting an electrode receptacle to the supporting plate of a gaseous sign.

Another object of my invention is to provide new and novel means for connecting a tube electrode to a conductor, which means is carried by the electrode receptacle and is so constructed that the tube electrode will be properly positioned relative to the receptacle.

Still further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a side view of my new and novel electrode receptacle showing the manner in which it is securedto the. support and the preferred manner in which the tube electrode is electrically connected to a conductor; Figure 2 is a top view of the receptacle; Figure'3 is an end view of the receptacle; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the spring means employed to connect the electrode to the conductor; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modification in which a spring clip is employed to provide attaching means for the electrical conductor; Figure -6 is a view of a modification showing another method of connecting the electrode to the electrical conductor; and Figure 7 discloses howthe electrical conductor may-be supported on the end of the receptacle and the electrode connected thereto by means of a flexible wire.

In electrode receiving receptacles now employed on gaseous signs whereby a tube electrode may be readily connected to an electrical conductor, the structure has been such that dirt, water, and other foreign'material are quite easily accumulated thereby. The receptacle and the structure carried thereby to connect the electrode'and the conductor are also not readily adapted to different lengths and sizes of electrodes, nor is the receptacle itself adapted to different methods of connecting the electrical conductor and the electrode. All of these disadvantages found in receptacles now in use are-eliminated by my invention.

Referring in detail to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. the electrode receptacle, which is made of insulating material, comprises a cylindrical portion I to which is integrally attached an arm 2 extending from the cylindrical portion in an axial direction. The cylindrical portion is provided with a flange 3 at its .outer end and the external surface is formed with a plurality of threads 4, the purpose of which is to permit easy attachment to and detachment from the supporting plate 5 of a sign construction. This supporting plate has formed therein the usual opening 5'-of suchdiameter that the cylindrical por tion; will readily pass therethrough but ofa diameter smallerthan the external diameter of the flange 3. v which I desire to employ for clamping the receptacle to the supporting plate 5 is a coiled member 6 having its coils so spaced that they cooperate with the threads on the cylindrical portion. The ends 1 and 8 of the wire forming the coiled member extend laterally. from opposite sides of the member and are bent in the shape of a ,U as shown, so that both ends will .-contact the plate when the coiled member is screwed onto the cylindrical portion. The forming of the ends of. the coiled clamping member in the manner shown, insures that the flange 3 will be firmly clamped on opposite sides and the receptacle rigidly attached to the support. Also, these ends I and 8 provide convenient projections which may be gripped by the hand to perform the screwing operation.

The arm" 2 of the receptacle is offset from the cylindrical portion by means of the angular connecting portion 9 extending from the inner end of the cylindrical portion I. This connecting portion is integral with substantially-half of the end surface of the cylindrical portion as shown, thus providing an exceptionally strong union for the arm. The angular relation of the connecting portion 9 permits the arm to be readily passed through the opening in the supporting The novel attachment. means plate 5 when the receptacle is being mounted upon the support, an operation which could not be performed if the arm were united to the side of the cylindrical portion.

The intermediate part of arm 2 is so formed that dirt, water and other foreign material cannot readily accumulate on its surface and thus cause insulation failures. This intermediate part, as shown, is of substantially circular cross section butmay assume other cross sectional forms and still accomplish the same results. In the form shown, if water, for example, should drip or otherwise accumulate on the top of the arm, it will immediately drain to the lower surface of the arm where it will drip off. It is also to be noted that due to the offsetting of the arm in the manner shown, the drained water cannot flow onto the cylindrical portion or accumulate on the bottom inclined surface of the connecting portion 9 and thus weaken the insulation properties and assist arcing between the bottom of the arm and the plate 5 which arcing may cause cracking of the receptacle or in some cases the complete breaking of the arm. from the cylindrical portion. 0n the other hand any water on the cylindrical portion will also drain to the bottom of the arm and drip off.

The outer end of the arm of the receptacle is increased in width in order to provide additional surface and strength for the attachment of suitable connecting means for electrically connecting the tube electrode and the electrical conductor. The connecting means which I prefer to employ with my receptacle is shown in Figures 1 and 4 and consists of a spring supporting member ID of suitable conducting material, such as brass or copper, formed with an attaching plate H and an integral upstanding annular ring I! for carrying the spiral spring l3, the attachment between the spring and the ring being accomplished by means of bent-over projections I 2' which clasp the outer coil of the spring to the main portion. The spiral spring is normally constructed in the form shown in Figure 4 and when a tube electrode I4 is passed into the receptacle, it will contact the central coils of the spring and extend the spring away from the ring, thus causing the spring to assume a conical shape with the electrode pocketed therein, thereby properly centering it with respect to the receptacle. The cooperating relation between the tube electrode I4 and the spring l3, when the electrode is placed in the receptacle, is shown in Figure 1.

The attaching plate H of the spring supporting member is adapted to fit in a recess IS in the end of the arm of the receptacle and is held therein by means of a bolt 7 l6 passing through an opening 11 in the end of the arm and an elongated opening in the attaching plate II. This elongated opening permits the member in to beadjusted longitudinally with respect to the arm in any manner desired to thereby accommodate different lengths of tube electrodes. The

electrical conductor l8 for supplying electricity to the tube electrode is connected directly to the bolt l6 by a pair of suitable nuts as shown in Figure 1.

If it is desired to use adiiferent type of attaching means, as for example, a spring clip IS, the clip may be attached to the end of the receptacle arm in the manner shown in Figure 5. The. body of the clip lies in a groove 20 in the end of the arm and held in such position by the nut of bolt I8.

Referring to Figure 6, I have also shown how a different type of spring connecting means may be employed with my electrode receptacle to connect the electrode I4 and the conductor H3. The spring 2| is of the ordinary helical type carried on the end of arm 2 and extends toward the cylindrical portion of the receptacle. The attaching member 22 for the spring is similar to that of the member l0, differing only in that the upstanding portion thereof is of solid construction in order that a suitable conductor attaching spring clip 23 may be riveted to the central portion thereof, as shown. The opening for receiving the attaching bolt I6 is elongated to provide for adjustment.

My electrode receiving receptacle is also readily adaptable for supporting an electrical conductor and thus permit the electrical conductor to be directly attached to the tube electrode without employing an electrode contacting spring. In Figure '7 I have shown the manner in which this connection may be carried out. The end of arm 2 has formed therein a groove 24 in which conductor 25 is adapted to be placed. The conductor is held in the groove by means of a wire 26 passing around the conductor and through the opening IT in the end of the arm. The connection between the electrode and the conductor comprises a flexible braided wire 21 integrally united at one. end with the conductor wire and carrying at its other end an attaching clip 28, permitting detachable connection with wire 29 protruding from the end of the tube electrode l4.

From. the above description of my invention it is readily seen that. I have produced a very simple and eflicient electrode receptacle which permits the use of numerous types of connecting means between the electrode and the conductor. I prefer to construct the receptacle from glass, although it is possible that other insulating material, such as porcelain, may be employed if desired. The employing of an arm integrally attached to the cylindrical portion insures that insulation failures will be reduced to a minimum insofar as those caused by the accumulation of foreign material is concerned. The intermediate portion? of the, armwhich is provided with a smooth curved surface lies between the plate and the connection of the electrode and conduc-- tor, thus insuring that the insulating properties of the receptacle at this point will not be re-' duced. By attaching the arm to the central par-- tion in the manner shown, there is provided a very rugged construction in which there is no danger of the armbeing severed from the cylin-' platev to which the receptacle is attached. It is.

also noted that the preferable spring construction employed for cooperation with the end of the tube electrode is such that the electrode will be properly positioned in the receptacle.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a device of the class'described, an electrode receptacle comprising a cylindrical portion adapted to be secured to a support and an integral solid arm extending from the end of the cylindrical portion and in an axial direction for supporting at its outer end an electrical connec tion between an electrode and an electrical conductor, the portion of the arm which is connected to the end of the cylindrical portion being angularly disposed to the axis of the receptacle to thereby offset the arm with respect to the outer surface of the cylindrical portion and provide an a inclined external surface between the cylindrical portion and the main portion of the arm upon which Water cannot collect to assist in the establishment of an electrical are between the supporting member and the main portion of the arm carrying the electrical connection.

2. In a device of the class described, an electrode receptacle comprising a cylindrical portion adapted to be secured to a support and a solid integral arm extending in an axial direc- 10 tion, the outer surface of said arm being offset laterally beyond the circumference of the cylindrical portion and united therewith by a por tion having an inclined outer surface, the outer end surface of said arm being provided with a groove for receiving an insulated electrical con ductor and the end of said arm adjacent the groove being provided with means for cooperation with an'attaching member for securing the conductor in the groove.

trode receptacle comprising a cylindrical portion and an integral arm extending in an axial direction, said cylindrical portion being provided with an external flange and an external threaded surface for receiving a member to clamp the receptacle to a support, the outer surface of said arm being offset laterally beyond the circumference of the cylindrical portion and the outer surface of the portion which connects the arm to the end of the cylindrical portion being angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle, the outer end of said arm being provided with means for supporting a connection between an electrode and an electrical conductor.

4. In a device of the class described, an electrode receptacle comprising a cylindrical portion and an integral arm extending in an axial direction and laterally offset beyond the circumference of the cylindrical portion and connected to the end of the cylindrical portion by a part having an inclined surface thereby permitting said arm and a part of the cylindrical portion to be passed through an aperture in a support, said cylindrical portion being provided with an external flange and an external threaded surface for receiving a member to clamp the cylindrical portion in the aperture of the support, said arm having a transverse passage therethrough adjacent its end for receiving an attaching member, and a groove in its end for receiving an electrical conductor.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with a luminous tube electrode and an electrical conductor, an electrode receptacle, a

00 spiral spring, a supporting member secured to the receptacle and having an annular portion positioned transversely to the axis of the receptacle, means for securing the outer coil of the spring at spacedpoints to the annular portion, said coil be- 05 ing so positioned on the receptacle that when the electrode is positioned therein it will project through the annular portion of the supporting member, contact the central coil of the spring and axially distend the spring away from the sup ported outer coil, and means for electrically connecting the conductor to the spring.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a luminous tube electrode and an electrical conductor, an electrode receptacle comprising a cylindrical portion and an integral ax- 3. In a device of the class described, an elec-' ially extending arm, a supporting member secured to the end of the arm and provided with an plane as the outer coil, said inner coil adapted to be contacted by the tube electrode and axially extended away from the outer coil when the tube electrode is extended through the cylindrical portion and through the annular part and thus form a pocket to properly position the electrode in the receptacle, means for axially adjusting said spring supporting member on the arm, and means for electrically connecting the conductor to the spring.

7. In apparatus of the class described, an apertured support, an electrode receiving receptacle comprising a cylindrical electrode receiving portion and'an integral arm extending in an axial direction from thecylindrical portion, the outer surface of said arm being offset laterally beyond the circumference of the cylindrical portion and said arm being provided with a groove at its outer end, said arm and cylindrical portion adapted to be passed through the aperture, means carried by the external surface of the cylindrical portion for securing the cylindrical portion to the support,

means for securing an electrical conductor in the i3 groove at the end of thejarm, a luminous tube electrode projecting through the cylindrical portion of the receptacle, and a detachable electrical connection between the electrode and the conductor.

8. In a device of the class described, an electrode receptacle comprising a cylindrical portion and an integral arm extending from the end of the cylindrical portion in an axial direction, said cylindrical portion being provided with means for cooperation with attaching means for securing the receptacle in an aperture in a support, said arm being ofiset laterally with respect to the circumference of the cylindrical portion and the outer surface of the portion which connects the arm to the end of the cylindrical portion be ng angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle to thereby permit the arm and a portion of the cylindrical portion to be passed through the support aperture during assembly of the receptacle to the support.

9. In a device of the class described, an electrode receptacle comprising a cylindrical portion for receiving a luminous tube electrode and a solid integral offset arm extending in an axial direction therefrom for supporting a contact member, the outer surface of the connecting portion between the arm and the end of the cylindrical portion being angularly disposed to the axis of the receptacle and the part of said connecting portion which is united with the end of the cylindrical portion extending over substantially half of the circumference of said end.

10. In a device of the class described, an electrode receptacle for mounting on an apertured support, said receptacle comprising a cylindrical body of a size permitting its passage through the aperture and having a flange at its outer end for engaging the surface of the support adjacent the aperture, means on the outer surface of said body for cooperation with a member for securing it to the support, the inner end of said body being provided with an integral solid arm extending in an axial direction and united with substantially onehalf the end surface of the cylindrical body by a portion having an outer surface angularly disposed to the axis of the receptacle to thereby offset the arm with respect to the cylindrical body and permit the passage of the arm and the adjacent portion of the cylindrical body through the support opening, and contacting means carried by the outer end of the arm and in axial aline-' ment with the cylindrical body for cooperation with an electrode member extending through the cylindrical body.

11. In a. device of the class described, an electrode receptacle comprising a cylindrical portion adapted to be secured to a support and a solid integral arm extending in an axial direction, the

inner and outer surfaces of said arm adjacent its outer end each being provided with an axially extending recess for receiving means for mounting a contact member on the arm and connecting it to an electrical conductor, said arm also being provided with a passage between the recesses for receiving a securing member and the outer end surface of the arm having a transverse groove adapted to receive and have secured therein an insulated conductor.

12. In a device of the class described, an elec trode receptacle comprising a cylindrical portion adapted to be secured to a support and a solid integral arm extending in an axial direction, a contact carrying member having an axially extending portion and an annular portion at right angles thereto, a coil spring contact having its outer coil secured at spaced points to the annular portion, and means forsecuring the axially extending portion of the contact carrying member on the inner surface of the end of the arm, said arm and the axially extending portion of the contact carrying member having inter-engaging portions to prevent relative lateral movement.

13. In a device of the class described, an electrode receptacle for mounting upon an apertured support, said receptacle comprising a cylindrical body of a size permitting its passage through the aperture and having a flange at its outer end for engaging the outer surface of the support adjacent the aperture, said cylindrical body also being I provided with external threads for receiving a clamping member for securing and clamping the receptacle by means of the flange to the support, the inner end of said cylindrical body being provided with an integral solid arm extending in an axial direction and united with said body over substantially one-half the end surface thereof, the outer end surface or said arm being provided with a transverse groove and one surface of said arm adjacent its end being provided with a recess which merges into said end groove, said arm also being provided adjacent its end with a crosspassage at the recess whereby said recess in the end portion of the arm is adapted to receive and have clamped therein by means oil a member extending through the cross-passage a connecting means for electrically connecting an electrode to an electrical conductor, and the end groove is adapted to receive and have secured therein an electrical conductor by means of a securing member extending through said cross-passage.

one A. 12mm. 

